Dolly Parton’s family is asking fans for prayers as the country music legend steps back from public appearances due to undisclosed health issues. The news comes weeks after Parton canceled several scheduled events, including a special attraction announcement at Dollywood and her Las Vegas concert series.
Public concern first grew in mid-September when Dollywood announced that its Dreamer-In-Chief, Dolly Parton, would not attend the grand unveiling of a new attraction. The Smoky Mountain theme park revealed the NightFlight Expedition, set to debut in 2026, as planned.
On September 29, Parton rescheduled her Las Vegas concert series from December 2025 to September 2026. In an Instagram post, she told fans:
“As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon! In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”
Parton also confirmed she will not attend the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Award Ceremony in November in person. She will accept the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award virtually. Her team clarified that she had informed the Academy of her scheduling conflict when initially invited and that this decision was not related to health concerns.
Following an outpouring of support from fans, Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, shared a heartfelt post on Facebook asking for prayers:
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
Freida later clarified her message, saying she never wanted to worry fans:
“I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly. She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”
Dolly Parton and her family have not provided details about her health issues. In March, the singer sadly lost her longtime husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Following his death, she released a new song called “If You Hadn’t Been There” in his memory. Reflecting on their decades together, Parton said:
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. As all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”
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Though Dean was notoriously private, he spoke about their life together in a rare 2016 interview after the couple renewed their vows. They held a private ceremony in Nashville to celebrate 50 years of marriage.
“My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl,’” Dean told Entertainment Tonight, recalling the moment they met. “My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin.’ And that was the day my life began.”
Parton often described Dean as her biggest supporter: “He’s always been my biggest fan behind the scenes, but he’s at home. I travel a lot, but we really enjoy each other when we’re together and the little things we do.”
Currently, Dolly Parton has no public appearances scheduled until her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas concert series in September 2026. However, she occasionally makes surprise visits to Dollywood, especially during special events like Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Which song would you love to hear Dolly Parton perform live, if you had the chance? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
